The River Murders (2011) 5 of 10 stars ⭐ Decent Thriller, especially for Christian Slater fans ...

Decent Thriller, especially for Christian Slater fans...

THE RIVER MURDERS (2011) 5 of 10 stars ⭐

WARNING: Graphic depiction of rape

BASIC PLOT: 

Jack Verdon (played by Ray Liotta ) has been a cop for 28 years, when out of nowhere, the women in his life, both past and present, are being murdered. At first it seems to be just a coincidence, but it quickly becomes evident, someone is targeting every woman Jack has ever slept with.

After two murders, the FBI is called in and assigns Agent Vuckovitch (played by Christian Slater) when it becomes clear that a serial killer is involved. Jack's life is painfully laid bare, and because he waited until later in life to marry, he's had many sexual partners. It's a race against time, trying to protect them all, and figure out who the killer could be, and what are his motives.

WHAT DOES WORK: 

*CHRISTIAN SLATER IS FANTASTIC as the sardonic, politically incorrect FBI agent. He pulls off his zingers with perfection.

*VING RHAMES IS VERY BELIEVABLE as police Captain Langley who stands by Jack through it all.

*SARAH ANN SCHULTZ DOES A GREAT JOB as Jack's partner, Jenny Thames. She has many intense scenes, and is authentic in all of them.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: 

*JACK'S WIFE IS MISCAST Ana Verdon (Played by Gisele Fraga ) is Jack's wife. She is younger, and really doesn't fit. I'm sure Gisele Fraga is a fine actress, but miscast in this role. She and Liotta have no chemistry, and this is a problem, since much of the story is sexual in nature. Many scenes that should be emotionally fraught, are acted as if the two of them have just met (instead of being a married couple of 8 years).

*A FEW OF LIOTTA'S SCENES SEEM FORCED. What's supposed to be an emotional moment at Jack's mother's grave falls flat.

*SOME OF THE MUSIC/SCORE IS AN ODD CHOICE. Some of it is a horror movie score, and the rest is just odd. I think they were going for a "spiritual" sounding score, but it just comes off wrong.

TO RECOMMEND OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IT THE QUESTION: 

If you are a fan of thrillers, serial killer plot lines, and mysteries in general, then I would recommend this movie. It is graphic, so if you are more of a cozy mysteries type of person, I'd give this a pass. But if you like gritty, no punches pulled thrillers, you'll probably like this one.

CLOSING NOTES: 

*I don't believe in trigger warnings except in the case of rape, suicide or animal abuse. This movie does contain graphic depictions of rape, so be forewarned.

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.